Are You Purple?

The McCain campaign has focussed on Independents and Democrats with their Citizens for McCain group. They have even set up an online phone bank specifically for Independents and Democrats. If you are Independent or Democrat McCain supporter this is a great way to help the campaign. Phone calls are instrumental in bringing in votes and getting supporters out to polls. Just a few (or more) a day can have an impact.

Daytime Calls Phone Bank 10:00AM -6:00PM (EST):

Evening and Weekend Calls Phone Bank 6:00PM -9:00PM (EST):

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If you aren't an Independent, but still want to make phone calls from home - www.JohnMcCain.com/PhoneBank

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Are You Purple?

John McCain Bold Leadership

With the markets in turmoil and a bill and a bailout package up for debate in Congress, Senator McCain has suspended his campaign and returned to Washington to work on the bill. Last night prior to Senator McCain's decision to return to Washington ABC's George Stephanopoulos reported,

ABC News' George Stephanopoulos reports: If Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain doesn't vote for the Bush administration's $700 billion economic bailout plan, some Republican and Democratic congressional leaders tell ABC News the plan won't pass.

"If McCain doesn't come out for this, it's over," a Top House Republican tells ABC News.

A Democratic leadership source says that White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten has been told that
Democratic votes will not be there if McCain votes no -- that there is no deal if McCain doesn't go along.

With the ball in Senator McCain's court, and concerns about the President's current proposal, Senator McCain is heading back to Washington. The debates and future campaign events are in limbo, as this bold decision has put a priority on the economic package.

Bold Leadership from John McCain

McCain on Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Economic Crisis

Obama Palin and the About to Die Argument

If one were to listen to the Democrats over the last couple weeks, you might conclude that Senator McCain is terribly ill just waiting for November or January to keel over. The line of attack is to tell voters that Sarah Palin will be president, and that she is not qualified for that job.

So for a moment lets ignore the morbid, and highly suspect premise of this argument. It's Palin v. Obama. It's a first term Governor v. a first term Senator. Both are short on foreign policy experience. They each have some experience, but not an extensive foreign policy record. Palin wins on executive experience; she's run a state, she has run a town; she's the commander-in-chief of the Alaska National Guard. What's particularly surprising is that Governor Palin has the edge of legislative achievements. This is an area that Senator Obama should win as his experience is almost completely in the legislative branch, yet he has no major pieces of legislation in his name in the U.S. or State Senate. It's not that he has no legislative experience but it is sparse and it is mainly on politically safe issues.

Palin's legislative accomplishments actually eclipse Obama's. She pushed through bipartisan ethics reform bill in Alaska. She passed a tax increase on oil company profits, and she enacted the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) to set up a natural gas pipeline in Alaska. She has taken on her own party in big ways by ousting two entrenched incumbants, resigning her post at the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission as a protest to 'lack of ethics', and opposed the reelection of Republicans Don Young and Ted Stevens because of ethics/corruption charges. Senator Obama does not have a bipartisan record, or a history of taking on his own party in any way.

So if Governor Palin were running for president I would have some doubts about her foreign policy experience, somewhat similar to those I have about Senator Obama's foreign policy experience. However, she's not running for president. Yes, it is possible that she could become president, but on the other hand Senator Obama would definitely be bringing a lack of foreign policy experience to the White House. If Governor Palin did have to take over the Presidency, her vice presidential experience would eclipse any experience Senator Obama now claims to have on foreign policy. The only way the Obama campaign has even the slightest opportunity to win the experience argument against Palin is to convince everyone McCain is on his last legs. Granted no one is guaranteed a particular life span, but this argument is a stretch and rather grim.

It is the team element of the Palin pick that makes McCain/Palin combination so strong. There is legislative and executive experience on the Republican ticket. There is a foreign policy expert, and there is an energy expert, they both have a history of working across party lines and battling corruption, there is military experience, there is 'beyond the beltway' experience. They both have a background and history of reform. On the Democratic side Obama chose an experienced Washington insider, who brings foreign policy experience, but dilutes the message of change. The match is awkward with the experienced candidate in the two slot and the novice at the top of the ticket. This has left the Obama campaign with the 'About to Die' argument leaving another ding in the 'politics of hope' mantra.

Obama Palin and the About to Die Argument

Why It’s Okay for Democrats and Independents to Vote McCain

Experience; that's the short answer. Experience is not a minor issue, ask any employer what they look for in a job applicant and see if there are any who don't rank experience as a top requirement. For Independents a vote for McCain is hardly a stretch. Senator McCain has exhibited an independent streak over the years that has endeared him to many Independent voters. If you look at the primary results it was Independents that either put him over the top, or gave him his margin of victory in numerous states. Senator McCain is also well liked among many of his Democrat colleagues. President Clinton, Senators Clinton, Biden, and Fiengold have all made glowing statements about Senator McCain. These comments have been far more complimentary than some made by conservatives that don't appreciate Senator McCain's penchant for breaking with the party line. Senator McCain has a history of not only getting along with Democrats, but working with them on successful pieces of legislation. For moderate or conservative Democrats they may have issues where they disagree with Senator McCain, but the prevalent belief is that Congress will remain under Democratic control, and Senator McCain clearly can work with those Democrats to create a balanced government.

Finally the party faithful, and liberal Democrats. It's understandable why some on the left would find it difficult to vote for any Republican if they never have before, or if they have strong objections to the Republican party. Senator McCain is an unrepentant Republican, but he has also repeatedly put his country's interest before that of his party or himself. He has long championed the idea that people 'dedicate themselves to something beyond their own self interest'. He has not just talked about it, but has lived it, and his family has lived it, as his sons currently serve in the military. Senator McCain has a superb human rights record. He was a critical player in getting anti-torture legislation passed. He consistently is a champion of the oppressed whether it is in Myanmar, Georgia, or Darfur.

Other Democrats and Independents are also coming to the conclusion that Senator McCain is the most qualified candidate ready to become President of the United States...

Lisa Sisinni: Why I, a Clinton supporter, will vote for John McCain

I've never voted for a Republican presidential candidate, but this year is different. I'm voting for John McCain.

Throughout the primary season, I supported Hillary Clinton. Between the final two Democratic contenders, Hillary was the only candidate who demonstrated leadership and a true understanding of key issues. She inspired millions of women around the country, Democrats and Republicans alike.

When Barack Obama became the presumptive Democrat nominee, I was faced with a difficult question: Could I support a candidate who gives good speeches but has no substance and little experience? No.

Angry Clinton supporters toast McCain, roast Obama

The last place Kathy Archuleta could have ever imagined she'd spend the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, was at a happy hour sponsored by the Republican Party.

But the 54-year-old Democrat joined several other Hillary Clinton supporters, along with volunteers and officials from John McCain's campaign, at a Happy Hour for Hillary.

The event, sponsored by the Republican National Committee and approved by the McCain campaign, was a chance for McCain and Clinton supporters to come together for one cause: their opposition to Barack Obama's candidacy.

Why It’s Okay for Democrats and Independents to Vote McCain

Urgent! McCain News

Urgent! Let's Rain on Obama's Convention Parade!

STATEMENT BY JOHN MCCAIN ON THE RESIGNATION OF PAKISTANI PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF

Remarks By John McCain To The 109th Annual Veterans Of Foreign Wars Of The United States National Convention

WT: At what cost Obama?

Obama Facing Attacks From All Sides Over Abortion Record

WP: McCain's New Hope

Forgotten Heroes

FORGOTTEN
HEROES is the only film in the pop culture today that honors and thanks
a generation of Americans who were protested against, spat upon and
protrayed in Hollywood movies as murders, rapist, psychos, and drug
addicts. This profound and unique film begins to debunk the myths that
have permeated the pop culture since the 1960s


Slainte'

Sheridan Folger

Conservatives Be Sure To Join Let's Get This Right!

Bloggers MAKE SURE you grab the widget for the convention coverage!!!

The McCain Update

Today is Mother's Day and in our family, as well as in so many others, it is a day to give thanks to the mothers in our lives.

This Mother's Day, our campaign has recorded a special video message of my husband, John, and his mother, Roberta, from our family to yours. Please follow this link to watch the message and after watching it, make a campaign contribution of whatever you can give. Your time and support is always appreciated.

It would be such a special Mother's Day gift to me and Roberta to see the man we know and love elected as our next President of the United States. I hope you will take some time today to watch the video message of John and Roberta. After watching the video, I ask that you consider making a contribution of whatever you can to our campaign. Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Vision for America's Judiciary System

In North Carolina on Tuesday, John McCain outlined his judicial philosophy and vision.

As president, John McCain will look for accomplished men and women with proven records of excellence in the law and proven commitments to judicial restraint to serve on the federal bench.

The proper role of the judiciary has become one of the defining issues of this presidential election. The next president will nominate hundreds of qualified judges to the federal courts and the impact of these choices will reach far into the future.

John McCain will bring care, thought and deliberation to the process of selecting his judicial nominees. The nominees will be men and women of experience, wisdom and humility who do their work with impartiality and honor. They will be faithful to the Constitution and understand that there are clear limits to judicial and federal power. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito will serve as the models for John McCain’s judicial nominees.

Click here to watch John McCain's speech about his vision for America's judiciary system.




Defending Freedom & Dignity

John McCain spoke Wednesday at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan about his vision for defending the freedom and dignity of the world's vulnerable. Freedom confers responsibilities, and John McCain believes we must be diligent in supporting human freedom and opposing those enemies who would strip others of their dignity.

As president, John McCain will promote religious freedom, combat human trafficking and protect women and children. These are issues that demand presidential leadership. We must confront the evils in this world that deny human freedom and degrade human dignity. America was founded on the belief in the inherent dignity of all human life and this dignity can only be preserved through shared respect and responsibility. Click here to read John McCain's speech about these issues.

Women's Coalition


This week, the campaign launched the new Women for McCain website. This is the official site where women who support John McCain can learn about the issues and how they can get involved.

Click here to visit the site and join other women in support of the campaign. John McCain is surrounded by strong women in his life: his wife, Cindy; his mother, Roberta; and his three daughters, Sidney, Meghan and Bridget. They join the countless volunteers across the country who understand that John McCain will be the best president to address the issues women care about. Please join our coalition at Women.JohnMcCain.com and show your support today!



Cindy McCain spoke at a Women for McCain event in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, May 8th.










Latest News

Below are some of the top news articles from this week. For more news articles and press releases, go to http://www.johnmccain.com/.

Catholic News Agency: McCain Pledges to Use Roberts, Alito as Model Supreme Court Nominees
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin: McCain Attempts To Woo Blue Collars
Phoenix Business Journal: McCain Wants Expanded Disclosure Rules on Businesses to Aid in Child Porn, Sex Trade Investigations
Reuters: McCain Backs Incentives to Boost Offshore Oil
Greensboro News and Record: McCain Outlines Vision On Judges
USA Today: McCain Talks Free Trade, Freedom at Michigan University
Washington Post: McCain Vows to Push Religious Freedom
Detroit Free Press: McCain Focuses on Civil Rights During OU Stop
The Charlotte Observer: Voters To Get 'Stark Choice'
National Review: McCain's Judicial Promise
Reuters: McCain Woos Hispanics and Launches Spanish Web Site


For more information, log on to www.JohnMcCain.com and please be sure to forward this newsletter on to family, friends and fellow John McCain supporters.